The Lamb of God

Posted Thursday, March 22, 2012, at 1:05 PM

As any student of the scriptures knows, the Old Testament is filled with types, figures, and prophecies that foreshadow the coming of the Messiah -- the Christ. I believe some of the most important types and shadows we see are the ones pertaining to the Lamb of God. The Passover observed by the people of Israel for thousands of years is a portrayal of Christ and his sacrifice for all mankind.

If we look at Exodus chapter 12, we see many similarities between the Paschal Lamb and Jesus. For instance, the Paschal Lamb was a yearling lamb, one neither in infancy or old age. I believe that represented the thought that Jesus would lay down His life for mankind while still in his prime.

In Exodus, we see that the Passover Lamb -- which was sacrificed for the family -- was to be chosen by the father of the household. Likewise, Jesus was chosen by the heavenly Father.

The Old Testament also tells us that the lamb was selected on the 10th day of the first month, that it was to be inspected for four days, and that it was to be without spot or blemish. Isn't it significant that Jesus entered into Jerusalem on the day all of Israel was selecting the lamb for Passover, and that he spent the next four days being "inspected" by the scribes and Pharisees?

We even see Christ inspected by the Roman governor Pilate, who told the crowd that he found nothing wrong with Jesus -- that he was without fault.

Further study shows us that Jesus was even killed on the same day and at the same time as the Passover lamb. He was placed on the cross on the third hour -- the time of the morning offering. He died at the same time as the evening offering -- the ninth hour.

The Old Testament even tells us that the Passover lamb was to be roasted on sticks crossed over one another. We know that Christ died on a cross as well.

Other similarities include:

--No bones were to be broken.

--The blood of the lamb had to be applied in a certain manner in order for the people to be protected.

--Only those inside the house were protected -- much like the church.

The blood of the Passover lamb was to be applied to the doorposts and across the top of the door and those who were to be protected had to pass through the blood.

Today, it is the blood of Jesus that protects and saves us. We must never overlook the importance of the blood in our redemption. We must pass through the blood to enter into the Kingdom of God -- His "house."

Bob Stewart is pastor of Union Baptist Church. His long-running column ranges in topic from matters of faith to observations about life in Saline County, politics and the sights to see in travels throughout America.